A cargo ship and a riverboat carrying 129 people collide on the Mississippi River in New Orleans, Louisiana. [AP]
A cargo ship and a riverboat carrying 129 people collide on the Mississippi River in New Orleans, Louisiana. [AP]

A cargo ship and a riverboat carrying 129 people collided on the Mississippi River in New Orleans, Louisiana, as local authorities launched an emergency rescue operation.

The cargo vessel Atlantic Asphalt and the riverboat American Heritage collided around noon Friday (local time), according to CNN, Yonhap and other media outlets. There were 129 passengers on board the riverboat at the time.

The collision caused the riverboat to capsize and partially submerge, with passengers seen floating on the river in life jackets. The Mississippi River's current water temperature is 19 degrees Celsius.

At least 12 people have been rescued so far, and the exact number of injuries has yet to be confirmed. Vessel traffic in the area has been halted and rescue teams dispatched to the scene.

Rhonda Akers, a passenger on the stricken riverboat, told NBC News that the vessel capsized after a second collision followed the initial impact. "We climbed over the railing with people to get out — to survive," Akers said.

Local authorities said they plan to investigate the exact circumstances and cause of the collision.


sjpark@heraldcorp.com